IGP tasks officers on dedication to duty

The Inspector-General of Police, Idris Kutugi, has urged the officers and men of the Police Force across the country to justify the recent increments of their emoluments by increasing their dedication to duty.

Kutugi, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 8 (Kwara, Kogi and Ekiti commands), Adekunle Oladunjoye, in Ilorin said more packages awaited the Police under the government of President Muhammad Buhari.

He was on tour of the Kwara Command of his zone.

But he warned that no police officer, who is opposed to the rule of law or unethical in his conduct would henceforth be harboured by the authorities of the force, just as he said that the dearth of manpower bedevilling the operations of the police in some areas would soon be a thing of the past.

For him, the time for flimsy excuses among the police officers should be over, noting that constant positive results should be the minimum standard expected of them “as some of these challenges are being addressed.”

According to the Police boss: “What we want from you is democratic Policing. Extortion should be shunned like leprosy. You can’t extort money from members of the public and expect the same public to accord you the needed respect.”

We know that crimes can’t be completely eradicated anywhere in the world, but what we want from you is complete loyalty and dedication to your duty.

“The Inspector-General and other stakeholders are fighting for you. The government of the day as well is trying its best possible for you. You are all aware of the recent positive adjustments to our welfare. You therefore need to reciprocate this kind gesture with increased dedication. Adjust your ways of life and re-double your efforts at your duty posts. Indiscipline in whatever form will not be tolerated under this dispensation.”

He urged qualified members of the public to respond to the on-going advertisement for the recruitment of new police officers across the nation, noting that the authorities of the force are looking for a new generation of officers that would take the institution to next level of operations.

Reiterating the need for zero tolerance for poor handling of weapons by any serving police officer, Kutugi said apart from untimely deaths that such lapses could cause, he believed it would portray the nation as uncivilised among the comity of countries of the world.

He reminded them of the tripod of the duties of the police as, maintenance of public security, safety, and order, just as he canvassed more synergies between the police and members of the public especially in the area of community policing.

Besides, he advised the officers to maintain the best practices and should not wait or fail to do the needful to justify the confidence reposed in them by the government and the public.

Earlier, the Kwara state Police Commissioner, Bolaji Fafowora said the preponderance of crimes in the state remained land disputes and boarder skirmishes.